Earl on good government

"It should be the case in a well-run representative democracy that good government - even when it involves making difficult choices - will be recognized by the electorate through their votes as good politics," writes former Gov. Anthony Earl in his cover feature, "Good Government vs. Good Politics." But, he goes on to say, "it is all too often the case today that good government - defined as responsible public policy-making - runs afoul of good politics." He suggests this is because Americans, like corporations, have lost sight of the future. Moreover, "campaign professionals such as those handling Reagan have perfected the art of peddling symbol over substance, promises over performance and short-term gratification at the expense of long-term security. This is politics at its worst, but also, unfortunately, it is politics at its winningest." Now a partner with the Quarles & Brady law firm, Earl chairs the board of directors for the Center for Clean Air Policy, serves on the American Transmission Company's board of directors and this summer was appointed to Madison's Blue Ribbon Committee on Clean Elections.